Reset Life with Infinite Talents - Chapter 73

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Infinite Talent Reset Life Episode 73

 

 

20. Aramid Fiber

 

 

Clatter!

Johann, Larry, and Ada rush into the hospital emergency room.

Following behind them, Emily, Flash, and the other children also run in.

“Mason!”

“…Johann?!”

Emily and Flash, and even the other friends.

A question of why these kids came here appears on Mason’s face as he sits on the hospital bed receiving care from police and nurses.

Swoosh!

“Mason!”

“Jaehyun!”

“…Father! Mother!”

“Ah. God! Thank you. Thank you so much!”

As soon as they saw their son’s safe face, their legs gave out and they crawled toward Mason, and behind them the emergency room door opens again.

Step step!

“Adam.”

“Ah, Father?”

The emergency room instantly became chaotic.

 

“If these people hadn’t discovered the CCTV, it might have been difficult to find the whereabouts of the four boys.”

It was kidnapping.

The reason for the kidnapping became unknown when the perpetrator died at the scene, but considering the high probability of victims dying in typical kidnapping cases, something too horrible to even think about might have occurred.

“Ah! Th-thank you! Thank you so much!”

“Not at all. We’re just glad the children were rescued safely.”

The parents who had been calming their racing hearts widen their eyes as they look at their children.

Smack!

“Why did you go to such a place! Didn’t Mom tell you that America is dangerous to wander around alone and you should go with a guardian!”

“Why are you scolding the child?! What did Jaehyun do wrong! Really…”

Mason’s parents fighting in Korean as their emotions run high.

“Th-that’s…”

‘Gasp?!’

The bad older boy who had put his arm around his shoulder at the park glares at him.

His mouth goes dry and his heart pounds.

The shock of violence and kidnapping he experienced for the first time in his life makes Mason hesitate.

“Mason.”

It’s okay.

Just tell them everything.

“J-Johann.”

“I’m older than those guys.”

So don’t be scared.

“…Yeah.”

Mason clenches his fists and looks at his father and mother.

“Th-those older boys tried to steal my money!”

Silence falls around them as all eyes focus on him.

His mouth went dry again, but Mason found courage from Johann’s hand on his shoulder and continued speaking.

“They said they were going to be 6th graders soon too! That they had to try doing things like this! That’s why I was dragged there! And… and…!”

The faces of the bad older boys turn pale as his words continue.

It feels satisfying. His chest feels relieved.

Mason squeezed his eyes shut.

“I was kidnapped by that person-!”

Because he wore expensive clothes, they thought he’d be worth money.

He was dragged into a car, stuffed into the trunk, and locked in the basement of that house.

The silence deepened at Mason’s cry as he showed courage for the first time in his life.

But that was only momentary.

One of the parents of the boys who had been rolling their eyes steps forward.

“Ahem, our child was just playing around a bit…”

“I’m Ada Wong, lawyer from Lewis & Boris Senior. From now on, I’ll be taking on the case for the real victim of this incident, so it would be wise to be careful with your words and actions.”

Click! A stick-type recorder turns on.

“…You little bastard!”

Smack! Thwack!

“Agh! Agh! F-Father!”

“How dare you smear shit on my face?! What have you been doing instead of managing the child at home!”

“Am I raising the child alone?!”

“What did you say?!”

Nurses, doctors, and police officers began rushing to the emergency room that had instantly become a mess.

 

* * *

 

“Since Mason Moon suffered the terrible ordeal of kidnapping and death threats because of your children, you should prepare to pay an appropriate price.”

They’re all minors.

Criminal punishment would be difficult.

But this is America, the land of lawsuits.

There are civil suits.

They should prepare to pay millions of dollars each as compensation for psychological damage.

“Even though he may seem fine now, you never know what kind of trauma might torment him for life.”

Turning a normal person into a mental patient wasn’t particularly difficult for her.

“N-no…”

“Do you have more to say?”

“…Grr! Follow me! You’re dead today!”

“P-police officer! Please save me! This is domestic violence!”

“Whistle. Whistle. Hey. Should we go eat some donuts?”

“Sounds good. When your eyes and ears start acting up, donuts are the answer.”

As the police officers quietly turned away, the despairing boys were dragged away by their parents like cattle being led to slaughter, and Mason Moon’s parents approached Johann’s group and bowed.

“Th-thank you.”

He’s their only child.

They almost lost that child.

“If it weren’t for all of you…”

Why did they fight?

Why did they let him move around alone?

What was so important about that damn phone call, that damn networking?

Tears of regret drip from their eyes.

‘That’s fortunate.’

Even Mason’s mother, who had been desperately trying to build relationships with other parents, is showing regret.

She doesn’t seem to be completely hopeless.

“If you’re that grateful, you can give us a case.”

“…Would that be possible?”

The targets of the lawsuit are young children.

It’s even questionable whether the lawsuit would be valid.

Moreover, all the children attending Fairmont School are from middle-class families or above. Many from the upper class also attend. If they carelessly file a lawsuit, who knows what dark clouds might cast over Mason’s future.

That was what worried the two most.

“Ah, you don’t need to worry about that.”

The moment they maliciously shake Mason, they should prepare for bankruptcy.

In this America, capital is power.

No American would embrace those who committed injustice and went bankrupt.

“So let’s think about how you’ll handle the taxes first.”

After the lawsuit ends, you’ll be millionaires at minimum.

“…We’ll ask for your help!”

“Let’s meet at my office tomorrow.”

Just as the conversation was about to conclude, Adam Kellner’s father, who had spoken to Mason at the perpetrator’s house, approaches.

Step by step.

“It’s been a while, Attorney Wong.”

“…It’s been a while, Mr. Kellner. I never thought your son would be involved in such a messy affair.”

Ada’s gaze turns toward Adam.

Adam is in despair over whatever he heard.

“As you just heard, you’ll need to prepare for a lawsuit.”

“That’s fine. If he did wrong, he should pay the proper price.”

Mr. Kellner bows his head to Mason and Mason’s parents.

“My child committed a great discourtesy to your son. I apologize on his behalf.”

A sincere and respectful apology.

Mason’s parents’ stern expressions soften slightly.

“We accept it. But that doesn’t mean we’ll forgive.”

“I fully understand your feelings. However, as I’m also a father, I don’t think I can watch my child get caught up in a lawsuit. So how about settling with us? I’m thinking of this amount for the settlement.”

Mr. Kellner takes out a blank checkbook, writes a number, and hands it over.

“Gasp!”

‘T-ten million dollars?!’

Stunned by the enormous figure, they look at Ada.

Ada smiles.

“You’re quite angry.”

“Because they dared to drag my child down such a vulgar path.”

This settlement will become the standard for this lawsuit.

The parents of the two boys who dragged Adam in will each have to cough up ten million dollars. Given the assets of the parents he had investigated as his son’s friends, it’s an amount that would be more than enough to bankrupt them.

“Being stingy with their children’s education is also their sin.”

Kids with parents who have millions of dollars in assets tried to extort money. It might simply be because their allowances ran out, but trying to extort others immediately without patience means their home education was a mess.

That was their sin.

At the anger in Mr. Kellner’s eyes, Ada nods toward Mason’s parents.

“…We’ll accept the settlement.”

“This money won’t heal the wounds your son suffered, but I hope you can shake off today’s events. Thank you for agreeing to settle.”

Mr. Kellner bows his head again and looks at Ada.

Now that his son’s matter is finished, it’s time to handle his own business.

“I heard you proposed selling technology related to aramid fiber manufacturing and modification processing to defense companies like Boeing and Lockheed.”

He proposed more diverse applications than current aramid fiber uses. Modification and processing technology that far exceeds current technical capabilities.

‘I’ve heard of this.’

Aramid fiber, a super fiber created by DuPont in the early 1960s.

While weighing only 20 percent of steel, it has five times the strength and withstands high heat above 500 degrees Celsius, making modification and processing difficult, but some genius developer solved it.

The developer tried to sell that technology, but suddenly disappeared.

The technology that stirred up American chemical companies was buried like that, and although many developers tried to restore that technology afterward, they all failed.

‘If this is that technology….’

I must secure it at all costs.

“Oh my… it seems that news reached even you, Mr. Kellner. Yes. We’ve completed the first meeting, and we plan to proceed with the next meeting as soon as the second sample is ready.”

Johann plans to do the same with all the technologies he found at the retired CIA agent’s safe house.

“That means you haven’t signed a contract yet. That’s fortunate. Then I’ll buy it. I’ll pay the proper price.”

Flinch!

Ada’s eyes change.

“Perhaps….”

“Let’s think of it as making up for today’s losses.”

“My goodness.”

Ada’s cheek trembles.

“Understood. I’ll put Mr. Kellner on the priority negotiation list.”

“I’ll treat you better than those well-fed guys.”

It was the moment smiles formed on both their lips.

“W-wait a moment. Did you just say aramid fiber? D-don’t tell me you have the production manufacturing technology?!”

Ada and Mr. Kellner look at Mason’s father, Moon Seho.

“S-sorry for eavesdropping. This is my business card.”

“CJ Textiles?”

“CJ Textiles is an affiliate of Korea’s SJ Group, and I currently work in the new materials development department.”

“Ah, SJ. I’ve heard of it. The place that sells electronic products, right?”

“Y-yes, that’s right.”

SJ Group, ranked first in Korea’s business world.

However, being known only as an electronics company in America made Moon Seho feel somewhat complicated.

“Hmm. This is troublesome.”

Mr. Kellner’s brow furrows.

“Korea… Korea.”

Honestly, he doesn’t know where that country is.

But they say it’s a company.

He didn’t want more rivals.

“Hmm. What does Mr. Moon want to make with aramid fiber?”

Everyone suddenly looks at Johann who butted in.

“Bulletproof vests? Fire-resistant suits? Are you trying to develop clothing and other textiles?”

“Th-that’s right?”

Aramid fiber is currently used in various fields.

It’s just not being used because the selling price is too high, but if you have the production technology, you can lower the price as much as you want.

That was the power of large corporations.

“But why are you….”

“Ah, I’m late with introductions. Currently, the aramid fiber-related technology I’m commissioned to sell has Johann Jefferson, Emily Sherman, and Flash Thompson holding the most shares after the bereaved family.”

Mr. Kellner and Moon Seho blink their eyes.

What did they just hear?

Johann ignored such gazes and looked at Mr. Kellner.

“Would a license limited to textiles be acceptable?”

“…Do you understand what this technology is?”

“Roughly.”

That’s not what’s important right now.

“I don’t know what kind of agreement you two will make, but if one or both of you end up producing it, could you make bulletproof clothing equipment first?”

In the process of saving Mason, one police officer was shot.

Unfortunately, it was an area the bulletproof vest didn’t protect.

What if he had been wearing clothes that could stop bullets?

“With aramid fiber, we could definitely make that kind of clothing.”

If police officers were equipped with this type of clothing, they could subdue criminals more effectively.

“Then the probability of damage like today’s would decrease.”

That’s why he had stepped forward.

“Hooo….”

Interesting.

Countless questions arose in his mind, but now wasn’t the right timing.

“Then let’s do it this way.”

He would sell the license as Johann suggested.

However, since his son Adam had done wrong, the royalty would be reduced.

“We can discuss the details with the decision-maker later.”

Before the companies that met with Ada could get moving.

“Yes! We’ll contact you as soon as possible!”

“Adam.”

“Yes….”

Adam walked over heavily and looked at Mason.

“…Sigh. I’ll apologize once more. I’m sorry. I mean it.”

Mason, who had shrunk back, looked at Moon Seho, who nodded.

“I, I won’t forgive you!”

“Yeah. Sorry….”

“Let’s go. Well then, we’ll be leaving.”

With that, Adam and Mr. Kellner left the emergency room, and Mason looked at Johann and his friends.

“Did, did you come because of me?”

“Of course we did!”

“Hik!”

Mason shrank back at Emily’s scolding.

Johann patted Emily’s shoulder to calm her down.

“I’m glad you’re not hurt. Now that we’ve seen you’re safe, we’ll be going.”

“Well then, we’ll be leaving. Mason must have been very scared, so how about you sleep together tonight?”

“Thank you for your concern. We’re truly sorry for the trouble.”

“Not at all. Well then. Come on, let’s go!”

Mason watched them leaving and moved his lips slightly.

“…Jo, Johann!”

And Emily, Flash, Joy, Lucy, and the others.

“Yeah?”

“Th, thank you!”

Today too.

Johann and Johann’s friends who had helped him since Art II class at the beginning of spring semester.

He was so grateful he didn’t know what else to say.

Johann looked at him hesitating and smiled gently.

“See you tomorrow.”

“…Yeah!”

As the door closed, he looked at his parents.

“…Ahem. Sigh. I’ve been too focused on work, haven’t I? No matter how busy work gets, I should have thought more about you raising Jaehyun in this foreign land, but I failed to do so.”

“No, no. If you hadn’t made sacrifices, we wouldn’t have been able to enjoy such luxury. I think I was too selfish. I’m sorry.”

Thinking that they could have almost lost Mason made them think deeply. Why had they been so eager to tear each other apart?

‘Ah!’

It was like Father and Mother from the old days.

Mason, with tears welling up, grabbed his father and mother’s hands.

“Fa, Father. Mother.”

Mason’s parents looked at Mason.

“I… was scared. I was so scared.”

“…Sob. Mother is sorry!”

“Father is sorry!”

The three family members embraced each other for the first time in so long.

 

Swoosh!

As the emergency room door closed behind them, Johann glanced at the adults who were talking about how hard everyone had worked today.

“You said those kids were students at our school?”

“Yeah. Fifth graders.”

“When will they come back to school?”

“At the latest, within ten days. Why? Should we have a word with them when they return?”

“Yeah.”

It seemed like they needed to be punished for causing such trouble.

Johann’s eyes turned cold.

 

* * *

 

Vroooom!

In the moving car, Mr. Kellner looked at his son.

“The reason?”

“…I spent all my money on games, and I was too lazy to go withdraw money….”

In the meantime, Mason had caught their attention, and they, who had always envied the freedom of public school students who lived as they pleased, had bad thoughts.

Mr. Kellner nodded.

“Now you understand.”

What it means to choose your friends carefully.

What it means that no matter how wealthy you are, you can still be mentally lacking.

“…Yes.”

“Remember this. Those guys, and people like them, are completely useless for your life.”

People led by emotions.

People led by instincts.

Such people aren’t meant to be befriended, but to be dominated.

“I, I’m sorry. Because of me….”

“Enough.”

They had experienced something they never should have had to, and even paid money for it.

Though ten million dollars was a huge sum, it wasn’t a waste.

“So what should you do now?”

“…I’ll cut ties with them and focus on studying.”

“And make connections with those kids.”

Johann, who seemed to be no ordinary genius, and Emily Sherman, Sherman’s daughter.

Lucy and Joy’s families were also formidable.

“Because of today’s incident, you won’t be able to become close friends. But you should be able to build some rapport.”

That would be enough for now.

“Don’t forget why I sent you to Fairmont instead of boarding school.”

Fairmont School, where he had sent him with the intention of experiencing various races and social classes to view the world straight and without bias.

“…Yes.”

“Speed up.”

“Yes, Boss.”

The car carrying them quickly crossed through LA as it fell asleep.

 

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————